Method and structure for use in the construction of spring assemblies



March 26, 1963 M. J. RY A V CTU METHOD .AND ST ND 3,082,436 RE FOR E 1 CONSTRUCTION SPRING ASSE Filed Aug. 50, 1960 INVENTOR MURRAY J- RYM LAND zwwww ATTORNEY 5 3,082,436 METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR USE IN TIE CQNS'I'RUCTIQN F SPRING ASSEMBLIES Murray .I. Rynrland, Comfort Spring Corp, 2700 Hoilins Ferry Road, Baltimore 30, Md. Filed Aug. 30, 1960, Ser. No. 52,851 Claims. (Cl. 5-259) The present invention relates to spring assemblies, for example, of the general type disclosed in my prior Patents 2,630,586, 2,857,603, 2,942,278, and in my copending applications Serial Nos. 596,589 and 596,590, both filed July 9, 1956, the latter now Pat. No. 2,993,215. More particularly, the present invention relates to novel structures and methods for facilitating the construction and manufacture of spring assemblies, such as those disclosed in the patents and applications referred to.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel, preassembled subcombination or subassembly of certain component parts of spring assemblies of the type referred to, and particularly adapted to facilitate manufacture of the spring assemblies. A related and also important object is to provide a novel procedure or method for using the subassembly or subcombination referred to, in the manufacture of the spring assemblies and especially designed to reduce the time, cost and skill involved in manufacturing spring assemblies, and to render the assembling operation more efficient.

The invention broadly contemplates the provision of a preassembled subassembly or subcombination of certain component parts for use in the manufacture of spring assemblies and comprising a tie wire and a plurality of clips, wherein the tie wire and clips are preassembled together with a removable means temporarily securing the clips to the tie wire at longitudinally spaced points thereon. In the preferred form of the invention, to be described in more detail hereinafter, the tie wires and clips are of the types disclosed in the patents and pending applications referred to above, and the so preassembled tie wire and clips will then be used in their preassembled condition to interconnect helical coil springs in overlapping relation to define rows and files of springs constituting the spring assembly, as will be apparent. The removable means for temporarily securing the clips to the tie wire preferably is some inexpensive device adapted to be conveniently attached to the clips and tie wire to retain them in their preassembled condition.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The novel features of the invention may be best made clear from the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a conventional spring cushion assembly constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a preassembled subcombination or subassembly including a tie wire and clips embodying the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary and perspective view showing a preliminary step in the method of the invention for securing springs together using the preassembled subcombination shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 are views corresponding to FIG- URE 3 and showing, in sequence, additional steps involved in the method of securing the springs together according to the invention and using the preassembled subcombination of tie wire and clips as shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary and enlarged perspective View illustrating an exemplary manner of temporarily securing the clips to the tie wire in forming the preassembled subcornbination shown in FIGURE 2;

3,082,436 Patented Mar. 26, 1953 FIGURE 8 is a view corresponding to FIGURE 2 and showing a modified form of tie wire to which the invention may be applied.

Referring to FIGURE 1, a portion of a spring cushion assembly 20 is shown as including a plurality of component helical coil springs 22, constructed, for example, of wire in any conventional manner. The springs are shown as being arranged in rows 24 and files 26, and each row of springs is aligned and arranged with an arcuate portion of the upper and lower end convolutions of each spring overlapping a corresponding portion of an adjacent spring in the same row, whereby one such portion becomes an overlying arcuate portion 28 and the other becomes an underlying portion 30, and a space 32 is provided between the overlapped portions, as shown, for example, in my prior patents 2,630,586 and 2,857,603, and in my copending applications, referred to above.

To fix adjacent rows 24 in the desired parallel spaced relationship, and to insure that the corresponding springs of the adjacent rows are properly arranged in files 26, a plurality of tie wires 34 extend transversely of the rows, parallel to the files 26, and along the lines of overlap of the coil springs 22, that is, along the lines of overlap between the files 26. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, each tie wire 34 preferably is provided with a plurality of pairs of spaced depressions 36, each pair of spaced depressions being separated by an upwardly projecting and offset insert portion '38 therebetween. In the final position of the tie wires in the spring assembly, each pair of depressions 36 partially embraces an intersecting section of an overlapping pair of spring end convolution arcuate portions 28, 30 and the intermediate offset portion 38 projects into the space 32 therebetween, as shown. It will be understood that the pairs of depressions 36 are spaced along the length of the tie wires 34 to suitably space adjacent rows 24 of component springs 22 from each other, the structure illustrated in FIGURE 1 merely being a partial or fragmentary view of two rows and two files of springs in the overall assembly.

The tie wires 34 preferably include a planar edge support means in the form of a triangle 40 at either end thereof, as disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,857,603.

Clips 42 are used in combination with the tie wires 34 to interconnect the springs. These clips 42 are of the general construction disclosed in my pending applications, referred to above, and include transversely spaced portions 44, 46, respectively having internal channels 48, 50 therein, with an external groove or depression 52 intermediate these channels. This groove 52 receives the tie wire offset portions 38, as shown in the drawing.

As best seen in FIGURES 6 and 7, each clip 42 further includes a short leg 54 and a long leg 56 normally spaced apart so as to facilitate the introduction or insertion into the channels 48, 50 of the arcuate portions of the spring end convolutions, as will be understood.

A method for interconnecting springs 22 with tie wires and clips, such as those shown in FIGURE 1, is disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 596,589. In that invention, it is contemplated that the tie wires and clips be handled separately during the assembling operations. While that invention has been found to be most advantageous and commercially satisfactory, the present invention contemplates improvements thereto. According to the present invention, the clips 42 and tie wires 34 are initially preassembled and held together by a removable securing means, constituting a subcombination or subassembly which may be conveniently handled and especially adapted to facilitate the assembling procedure. FIG- URE 2 illustrates a portion of such a preassembled subcombination. It will be noted that the grooves 52 of the clips 42 are arranged in engagement with the offset insert portions 38 of the tie wire 34. This is the same position 3 which the clips have relative to the tie wires in the final, completed spring assembly.

The removable means for temporarily securing the clips 42 to the tie wires 34 in their preassernbled condition, may be any suitable means. For example, this means may be in the form of strips '58 of material having an adhesive surface 66 on one side thereof, as indicated in FIGURE 7'. Conventional adhesive tapes, cellophane tapes or the like may be used for this purpose. After the clips and tie wires have been assembled with the springs 22 to constitute the final spring assembly 20, these strips of tape '8 maybe conveniently removed, if desired. However, as will be evident, they will operate to satisfactorily hold the clips: 42 t6 the tie wires 34 in their preassembled condition, until after they have been arranged in their final positions in the spring assembly.

FIGURES 3-6 illustrate sequentially some of the steps involved in an illustrative method of the invention for interconnecting coil springs using the preassembled subcombination shown in FIGURE 2. As shown in FIG-- URE 3, the tie wire and clips may be initially inverted with the arcuate portion of an end convolution of a first spring S arranged in the channel 45 in the transverse portion 4-4 of the clip 42. It will be understood that all of the clips 42 on each tie wire 34 will be arranged so that. all of the long legs 56 of the clips are arranged on one: side of the longitudinal axis of the tie wire while all of' the short legs 54- are disposed on the other side of the longitudinal axis of the tie wire.

Although not shown, it will be understood that arcuate: portions of the upper end convolutions of other springs in the same file with spring S may be arranged in engagement with all of the other clips 42 on the tie wire 3d irr the same manner as that shown in FIGURE 3, and the tie wire and clip in the position indicated in that figure.

Thereafter, the subcombination of the tie wire and clips will be bodily rotated or swung downwardly in the direction of arrow A in FIGURE 3 and generally about an axis extending through the channels 48 of the clips, through. the position indicated in FIGURE 4 and upwardly in the direction of the arrow B in FIGURE 4 approximately to the position thereof indicated in FIGURE 5. At this time, an arcuate portion of an end convolution of a second spring S will be fitted into the other channel 50 of the clip, as indicated in FIGURE 6. This particular step may be performed in substantially the same manner as that disclosed in my copending application Serial No; 596,589, except that it will not be necessary for the operator to separately hold the clips 42 on the tie wire inasmuch as the tapes 58 serve this purpose.

The end convolutions of additional springs in the same file with spring S will be fitted into the channels 50 of the other clips 42 on the tie wire 34, so as to dispose the end convolutions in overlapping relation as indicated in FIG- URE 6 whereby two files of springs will be defined, one file being on one side of the tie wire 34 and the other file being on the other side.

After the upper end convolutions of the springs in these two files have been so interconnected with the clips 42 and tie wire 34, the bottom end convolutions may be interconnected with another preassembled sub-combination including a second tie wire and additional clips, and in the same manner as that described above and indicated in FIGURES 3-6. The springs may be turned upside down before the bottom end convolutions are so interconnected, as will be evident. In interconnecting the bottom end convolutions, it will be appreciated that some distortion and extension of the springs will be necessary. to eifectuate the desired engagement of the spring end convolutions in the channels 50 of the clips 42, such as that indicated in my copending application Serial No. 596,589.

Additional files of springs may be assembled onto the first two files of springs, using additional preassembled subcombinations of clips and tie wires, such as that shown in FIGURE 2, and in the same manner as that; described above.

After all of the rows and files of springs desired in the spring assembly 29 have been constructed, the legs 5'4, 56 of the clips may be clinched, as disclosed in my copending application Serial N0. 596,589, or these legs may be clinched at any desired time during the assembling; operation, or the legs may be left unclinched, if desired; and the frictional locking forces set up among the tie wires, clips and overlapped spring end convolutions relied upon to hold these parts in assembled position, as discussed in my copending application Serial No. 596,589.

It will be understood that in practicing the present invention, it is immaterial whether the tops or bottoms of the springs are interconnected first.

As indicated above, after the spring assembly 26' has been constructed in accordance with the invention, the tapes 58 may be removed, or they may be left in the assembly, if desired.

The planar edge support means do at the ends of each tie wire' 34 will provide marginal or edge support along the two parallel sides 6-2 of the border, as disclosed in my prior Patent 2,857,603. The other parallel sides 64 of the generally rectangular border may be provided with any suitable border construction, such as a small helical (not shown) or a parallel double wire construction, such as that disclosed in my copending applications, referred to above.

FIGURE 8 illustrates a modification of the preassembled subcombination of the invention shown in FIGURE 2, and similar reference numerals have been used to designate similar parts. The tie wires 34- in this embodiment includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced ofiset insert portions 38. However, the tie wire 34 isprovicled with a plurality of peaks 66 and valleys 68 de' fining a sinuous or serpentine configuration between ad jacent offset insert portions 3%. These peaks and val-- leys impart improved structural characteristics to the tie wires, as will be evident, and also eliminate the sharp bends 70 involved in the tie wire 34 on either side of the depressions 36. Thus, the peaks on and valleys 68 in the tie wire 34' will be somewhat easier to form than the depressions 36 and bends 70 in the tie wire 34, making it feasible to use a thicker or stronger wire without requiring undue or excessive pressures or forces to form the tie wire into the desired configuration. It will be apparent that the valleys 68 on either side of each insert portion 38, and immediately adjacent thereto, will serve the same function as the depressions 36 of the tie wires 34, and the subassembly comprising the tie wire 38' and clips 42' will be used to interconnect springs in the same manner as that described above for the tie wire 34 and clips 42.

The present invention will thus be seen to completely and effectively accomplish the objects enumerated hereinabove. It will be realized, however, that various changes and substitutions may be made to the specific embodiments disclosed herein for the purpose of illustrating the principles of this invention, without departing from these principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A subassembly for use in the manufacture of spring assemblies comprising: a tie Wire having a plurality of pairs of spaced depressions therein with an upwardly projecting and offset insert portion between each such pair of spaced depressions; a plurality of clips, each of said clips being engaged to one of said offset insert portions; and removable means temporarily securing said clips to said tie wire offset portions, each of said clips being in contact only with said tie wire and said removable means.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein each of said clips comprises: transversely-spaced portions defining internal channels, and an external groove being formed between said portions, said external groove on each clip being in engagement with one of said tie wire oifset portions.

3. A method of interconnecting two helical springs by means of a tie wire and a clip, wherein the clip is provided with a pair of transversely spaced inner channels and an external groove disposed intermediate said channels, and wherein the tie wire includes an olfset insert portion, said rnethod comprising: disposing the tie wire insert portion in the external groove of the clip; temporarily securing the clip to the insert portion of the tie wire in this position; and then disposing an end c0n volution of each of the springs in one of the inner channels of the clip so that said end convolutions overlap.

4. In the manufacture of spring assemblies including a plurality of similar coil springs interconnected by tie wires and clips, wherein each clip is provided with a pair 20 of transversely spaced inner channels and an external groove disposed intermediate said channels, and wherein the tie wires each include a plurality of longitudinallyspaced oflset insert portions, the method which comprises: disposing the tie wire insert portions in the external grooves of said clips and temporarily securing said clips to said tie wire in such position by means of a detachable securing means before the springs are secured to the clips and tie Wires.

5. The method defined in claim 4 and further comprising: disposing end convolutions of the springs in said inner channels of said clips so that said end convolutions overlap and said springs define two parallel files.

Referenees Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,325,325 Ianke Dec. 16, 1919 2,251,326 Cullin Aug. 5, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,156,089 France Dec. 9, 1957 

1. A SUBASSEMBLY FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SPRING ASSEMBLIES COMPRISING: A TIE WIRE HAVING A PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF SPACED DEPRESSIONS THEREIN WITH AN UPWARDLY PROJECTING AND OFFSET INSERT PORTION BETWEEN EACH SUCH PAIR OF SPACED DEPRESSIONS; A PLURALITY OF CLIPS, EACH OF SAID CLIPS BEING ENGAGED TO ONE OF SAID OFFSET INSERT PORTIONS; AND REMOVABLE MEANS TEMPORARILY SECURING SAID CLIPS TO SAID TIE WIRE OFFSET PORTIONS, EACH OF SAID CLIPS BEING IN CONTACT ONLY WITH SAID TIE WIRE AND SAID REMOVABLE MEANS. 